On 15 September 2026, the Norwegian Tax Administration (Skatteetaten) announced a new cooperation agreement with Rogaland County Municipality aimed at combating workplace crime in public procurement. The agreement obliges the county to verify that contractors and subcontractors meet tax, VAT, and employer obligations before awarding contracts. This initiative extends Skatteetaten’s broader strategy to prevent economic crime by leveraging public sector purchasing power. The move follows similar pacts with other municipalities and private enterprises, reinforcing a whole-of-government approach to ensuring fair competition and tax compliance across supply chains.
Key Takeaways
- Mandatory Supplier Vetting: Rogaland County must now confirm that all contractors and subcontractors are registered in the Register of Business Enterprises, hold valid tax certificates, and have no outstanding tax debts before contract award.
- Extended Liability Chain: The agreement introduces joint and several liability for main contractors regarding subcontractors’ tax and VAT obligations, aligning with the Norwegian Tax Payment Act’s contractor liability provisions.
- Data-Driven Enforcement: Skatteetaten will provide real-time access to compliance databases, enabling the county to automate background checks and reduce administrative burden while increasing detection of non-compliant operators.
Disclaimer: This article is compiled and summarized by the AI based on publicly available information and is for general information purposes only. It does not constitute any form of formal tax advice, legal opinion, or basis for performance. Please consult a qualified professional tax advisor or legal counsel for tax advice.
Source: Read Official Announcement